Bottled water is the fastest growing drink choice comes packaged in a bottle, safe drinking water is Bottled water and tap water are both safe to drink if.
7 pages
249 KB – 7 Pages
PAGE – 2 ============
Table of Contents Bottled water basicspg.2 Advice for people with severely compromised immune systems (Sidebar)..pg2 Know what youÕre buying pg.3 Taste considerations .pg.4 Bottled water terms (Sidebar)pg.4 Begin by reading the label ..pg.5 Type of water and source .pg.5 Contaminants and methods of treatment .pg.6 Common bottled water treatments (Sidebar).pg.6 Certification ..pg.7 Contact information ..pg.8 FDA bottled water standards (Sidebar)pg.8
PAGE – 3 ============
Bottled water basics Bottled water is the fastest growing drink choice in the United States,and Americans spend bil- lions of dollars each year to buy it (Beverage Marketing Corporation,2004) Some people drink bottled water as an alternative to other beverages;others drink it because they prefer its taste or think it is safer than their tap water. Whether it travels through a pipe to your home or comes packaged in a bottle,safe drinking water is essential to good health.All our drinking water comes from similar sources,either from sourceswe can see,such as rivers and lakes,or from sources we canÕt see,such as underground aquifers. In the same way that tap waterÕs taste and quality may vary from place to place,so too does bottled waterÕs taste and quality vary among and even within brands.The taste and quality of both bot- tled water and tap water depend on the source and quality of the water,including its natural mineral content and how,or if,the water is treated. Drinking water (both bottled and tap) can rea- sonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants.The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.For example,min- erals such as magnesium and calcium give water a distinctive flavor,andare essential to the body. At high levels,however,these and other contami- nants,such as pesticides or microbes from human wastes,can cause adverse effects or illness. To make sure that all water is safe to drink,the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set drinking water standards.EPA sets standards for tap Advice for people with severely compromised immune systems Some people may wish to take special precautions with the water they drink.In particular,people with immune systems that are weakened by AIDS,chemothera- py or transplant medications are more vulnerable to microbial con- taminants in drinking water such as Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that lives in the intestine of infected animals and humans.It passes in the stool in its dormant oocyst form.The oocyst is protect- ed by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very resistant to chlorine-based disinfectants.It occurs mainly in surface water sources,such as lakes,streams and rivers.In healthy adults,Cryptosporidium can cause ill-ness,but for people with weakened immune systems,it can cause severe illness and even death. Those who wish to take extra measures to avoid waterborne cryptosporidiosis can bring their drinking water to a boil for a full minute. Boiling water is the most effective way of killing Cryptosporidium .As an alterna- tive to boiling water,people may take the following measures: Use a point-of-use filter Consider using point-of-use (per-2sonal use,end-of-tap,under sink) filters that remove particles one micrometer or less in diameter. Filters that use reverse osmosis, those labeled as Òabsolute one micron filters,Ó or those labeled as certified by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) – accredited organization to ANSI/NSF Standard 53 for ÒCyst RemovalÓ provide the greatest assurance of removing Cryptosporidium .As with all filters, follow the manufacturerÕs instruc- tions for filter use and replace- ment.Use bottled water Check the label or call the bottlerto find out how bottled water is treated.The following bottled water treatments protect against Cryptosporidium: reverse osmosis, distillation,ultraviolet light,or filtra- tion with an absolute one micron filter.Bottled waters derived from protected well and spring water sources are less likely to be con- taminated by Cryptosporidium thanthose containing untreated munic- ipal drinking water from less pro- tected sources such as rivers and lakes. Those who choose to take these precautions should remember that they can be exposed to waterborne pathogens through water used for brushing teeth, making ice cubes,and washing fruits and vegetables Ð not just through water they drink. water provided by public water suppliers;FDA sets standards for bottled water based on EPA standards. Bottled water and tap water are both safe to drink if they meet these standards,although people with severely weakened immune systems or other specific health conditions may wish to further treat their water at home or purchase high quality bottled water. FDA regulates bottled water as a packaged food under the Federal Food,Drug and Cosmetic Act and has established standards of identity and quality for bottled water.FDA has also established good manufacturing practice requirements for processing and bottling drinking water. EPA encourages all Americans to learn more about the quality of their drinking water,both tap water and bottled water,before deciding whether to drink tap water,bottled water,or both.If your water comes from a public water system,the best way to learn more about tap water is to read your water supplierÕs annual water quality report.If your water comes from a household well,EPA rec- ommends testing the water regularly for bacteria, nitrates,and other contaminants.The best way to learn more about bottled water is to read its label, or contact the producer directly. Know what youÕre buying Bottled water is much more expensive,per gallon, than tap water.Because of this,consider whether you are buying it as a healthy alternative to bottled beverages,for its taste,or for other reasons. 3
PAGE – 4 ============
Bottled Water Terms The following terms are fre- quently used on bottled water labels to describe the waterÕs characteristics, sources,and methods of treatment. Artesian water,ground water,spring water,well water – water from an under- ground aquifer which may or may not be treated.Well water and artesian water are tapped through a well.Spring water is collected as it flows to the surface or via a bore- hole.Ground water can be either. Distilled water – steam from boiling water is recondensed and bottled.Distilling water kills microbes and removes waterÕs natural minerals,giv- ing it a flat taste. Drinking water Ð water intended for human consump- tion and sealed in bottles or other containers with no ingredients except that it may optionally contain safe and suitable disinfectants.Fluoride may be added within limita- tions set in the bottled water quality standards. Mineral water – Ground water that naturally contains 250 or more parts per million of total dissolved solids. Purified water – water thatoriginates from any source but has been treated to meet the U.S. Pharmacopeia definition of purified water. Purified water is essentially free of all chemicals (it must not contain more than 10 parts per million of total dissolved solids),and may also be free of microbes if treated by dis- tillation or reverse osmosis. Purified water may alternately be labeled according to how it is treated. Sterile water – water thatoriginates from any source, but has been treated to meet the U.S.Pharmacopeia stan- dards for sterilization. Sterilized water is free from all microbes. Note:Carbonated water, soda water,seltzer water, sparkling water, and tonicwater are considered soft drinks and are not regulated as bottled water. Taste considerations Many people prefer bottled water because of its taste. The taste of all water has to do with the way it is treated and the quality of its source, including its natural mineral content.Most bottled water comes from a ground water source,where water quality varies less from day to day,or is treat- ed and immediately bottled.Bottled water from a ded- icated source or plant may have a more consistent taste than tap water,which mostly comes from sur- face sources and must travel through pipes to reach homes. One of the key taste differences between tap water and bottled water is due to how the water is disinfec- ted.Tap water may be disinfected with chlorine,chlo- ramine,ozone,or ultraviolet light to kill disease-causing germs.Water systemsuse these disinfectants chlorine and chloramine because they are effective and inex- pensive,and they continue to disinfect as water travels through pipes to homes and businesses.Bottled water that is disinfected is typically disinfected using ozone or other technologies such as ultraviolet light or chlorine dioxide.Ozone is preferred by bottlers,though it is more expensive than chlorine,because it does not leave a taste and because bottlers do not need to worry about maintaining disinfectant in water sealed in a container.Untreated water,whether from a bottle or from a tap,will have the characteristic taste of its source. Begin by reading the label To learn about the quality of bottled water, begin by reading the label.In addition to the volume of water,any pertinent nutritional claims, and any contact information for the bottler,the label may include the type of bottledwater,its source,and the way in which it is treated.For more specific information,you may need to contact the bottler directly. Type of water and source: Bottlers use standard identifiers,prescribed by FDA regulations,to describe their water (Bottled water terms,pgs 4 and 5),but the meanings may be different than you expect.These terms refer to both the geological sources of the water and the treatment methods applied to the water.The terms donÕt necessarily describe the geographic location of the source or determine its quality. For instance,Òspring waterÓcan be collected at the point where water flows naturally to the earthÕs surface or from a borehole that taps into the underground source.Other terms used on the label about the source,such as Òglacier waterÓor Òmountain water,Ó are not regulated standards of identity and may not indicate that the water is necessarily from a pristine area.Likewise,the term,Òpurified,Órefers to processes that remove chemicals and pathogens.ÒPurified waterÓis not necessarily free of microbes Ð though it may be. 45
PAGE – 5 ============
Common Bottled Water Treatments Distillation- water is boiled,and the steam is condensed to remove salts,metals,min- erals,asbestos,particles,and some organic materials.Microbes are killed,including Cryptosporidium. Micron Filtration – water isfiltered through screens with microscopic holes.The small- er the filter holes,the more contaminants the filter can remove.Good filters can remove most chemical con- taminants and microbes. Filter holes are measured in microns.(The period at the end of this sentence is 500 microns.) When considering filter size,look for an absolute(the largest hole),not nominal (the average hole) rating.An absolute one micron filter is needed to remove Cryptosporidium. Ozonation – water is disin-fected using ozone,which kills most microbes,depend- ing on dosage applied. Reverse Osmosis – water isforced under pressure to pass through a membrane, leaving contaminants behind. This process removes all microbes,minerals,color,tur- bidity,organic and inorganic chemicals.Ultraviolet (UV) light -water is passed through UV light,which kills most microbes,depending on dosage applied. Bottled water must be tested and meet regulatory stan- dards before it can be sold in the U.S.(See page 8 for details.) Bottled water,like tap water,can come from a ground water source,such as a well or spring,or a sur- face water source,such as a river or stream.Most bot- tled water comes from a ground water source.Ground water is typically less vulnerable to contamination than water from surface sources.However,ground water can still contain naturally high amounts of certain contami- nants,including radioactive elements,arsenic,and nitrates,or be vulnerable to contamination from human activities,such as industrial waste,faulty septic systems, and underground gas or chemical tanks. Some bottled water comes from surface water sources.This water typically comes from a public water system and receives additional treatment,such as filtration and disinfection,before it is bottled. Bottlers must list on the label the type of bottled water (such as spring water,mineral water,or drinking water).If the water comes from a public water system and has not been treated to meet FDAÕs definition of ÒpurifiedÓor ÒsterileÓwater,the label must state that the source is from a community water system. Contaminants and methods oftreatment: If you are concerned about a particular contaminant in your drinking water,consider the following questions:Is the source water likely to contain the contaminant? Has the water been treated to remove the contaminant? Water that originates from a protected ground water source is less likely to contain certain contaminants (such as disease-causing microbes),but not all ground water is protected,and no water is guaranteed to be completely free of contaminants. The best way to know if the water you are drink- ing is free from the contaminant(s) you are con- cerned about is to contact the bottler and ask for the latest testing results and whether the water has been treated to remove the contaminant. Many public water systems add fluoride to their water;most bottlers do not.If bottled water is fluoridat- ed,it must indicate so on the label,though bottled water and tap water can contain naturally occurring fluoride.Check with your public water system or bottler to find out if the water you drink contains fluoride. Certification Neither EPA nor FDA certify bottled water.However, consumers may notice a logo or seal from two other organizations on the label.The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is a trade organization for water bottlers.IBWA membersmust meet the organizationÕs Òmodel codeÓand are subject to annual inspec- tions by an independent third party.Bottlers belonging to IBWA frequently indicate membership on their labels. NSF International – Bottled water certified by NSF under- goes additional testing by unannounced annual plant inspections.NSF certifications mean that the bottler complies with all applicable FDA requirements,includ- ing good manufacturing practices. Underwriters Laboratories,Inc.(UL) is an independent accreditedtesting and certification organization that tests bottled water to FDA,state,and IBWA model code requirements. 67If you use a water cooler,remember to clean and sanitize it regularly according to the manufactureÕs instructions.
PAGE – 6 ============
FDA Bottled Water Standards Any bottled water sold in interstate commerce in the United States including prod- ucts that originate overseas must meet the following mini- mum federal standards (check with your health department to see what bottled water standards exist for brands produced,bottled,and sold entirely in one state): Bottled water must meet FDA standards for physical,chemi- cal,microbial,and radiological contaminants.When EPA sets a new standard for a contami- nant in tap water,FDA must establish a new standard for the same contaminant in bot- tled water or find that EPAÕs new standard is not applicable to bottled water. Bottlers must include the name of the product and type of water;the name and address of the manufacturer,packer,or distributor;and the net con- tent on their labels.New bottled water sources must be approved by a state or local jurisdiction.Bottlers must also test their sources and fin- ished bottled water products at least once a week for micro- biological contaminants and at least once a year for physical, chemical,and radiological con- taminants.If bottled water is found to be adulterated or hazardous to health,it is subject to FDA enforcement action,such as seizure of domestic products and refusal of entry of imports. Bottlers must operate their plants in accordance with FDAÕs good manufacturing practices to ensure that their bottled water products are safe and produced under safe and sanitary conditions. Contact EPA for standards for the tap water provided by public water systems,or see www.epa.gov/safewater/ mcl.html.For more information on bottled water: Contact the bottler directly,ask for its latest testing results,and compare these results with EPAÕs tap water standards (www.epa.gov/safewater/mcl.html) orFDAÕs bottled water standards to determine its quality. Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Outreach and Information Center 5100 Paint Branch Parkway HFS-555 College Park,MD 20740-3835 www.cfsan.fda.gov (888) SAFEFOOD;(888) 723-3366 International Bottled Water Association 1700 Diagonal Road,Suite 650 Alexandria,VA 22314 www.bottledwater.org ibwainfo@bottledwater.org (800) 928-3711NSF InternationalP.O.Box 130140 Ann Arbor,MI 48113-0140 www.nsf.org info@nsf.org877-8-NSF-HELP;(877) 867-3435 Underwriters Laboratories,Inc. 110 South Hill Street South Bend,IN 46617 www.UL.com/water water@us.ul.com (800) 332-4345For more information about tap water: To learn about the quality of your tap water,contact your water supplier and ask for the annual consumer confidence report.This report will list what contami- nants have been detected in the water,and how those levels compare with EPAÕs standards. EPAÕs Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1 (800) 426-4791www.epa.gov/safewater – includes drinking water standards,state certification officers for water testing, and information for household well owners. 89
249 KB – 7 Pages